Objectives: There is a concern whether the enhancement on implant surface roughness is responsible for higher biofilm formation, which acts as an aetiological factor for peri-implant diseases. The aim of the present systematic review was to answer the following question: “Are rough surfaces more susceptible to early biofilm formation when compared to smoother surfaces on titanium specimens?”.
Material and Methods: The research was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, up to August 2021. Eligibility criteria included studies that analysed human biofilm formation on titanium specimens with distinct surface roughness (smooth vs minimally, moderate, or rough) over the experimental times of 1 or 3 days. Roughness average (Ra) and biofilm analysis parameters were extracted from selected articles. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies.
Results: Of 5286 papers, 5 were included and analysed. Smooth titanium surfaces included machined and anodized titanium/Ti-6Al-4V; machined and acid etched TiZr. Minimally, moderately, or rough surfaces comprised titanium and titanium alloys (TiZr, Ti-6Al-4V), that received surface treatments (anodization, acid-etching, blasting, hydroxyapatite-coating). No statistically significant difference on biofilm formation on rough and smooth titanium surfaces was reported by 3 studies, while more contamination on rough titanium surfaces was stated by 2 investigations. An isolated smooth surface has also been associated to higher contamination. Moderate to high quality methodological assessment of studies were identified.
Conclusions: It is not possible to assume that rough surfaces are more susceptible to early biofilm formation than smooth titanium surfaces. Additional studies are required to study this multifarious interaction.
Objectives: Cryotherapy is frequently used to diminish postoperative sequelae following mandibular third molar surgery. The objective of this single-blinded randomized controlled trial was to assess the therapeutic efficiency of 30 minutes continuous cryotherapy on postoperative sequelae following surgical removal of mandibular third molars compared with no cryotherapy.
Material and Methods: Thirty patients (14 male and 16 female) including 60 mandibular third molars were randomly allocated to 30 minutes of immediately cryotherapy or no cryotherapy. Outcome measures included pain (visual analogue scale score), maximum mouth opening (trismus) and quality of life (oral health impact profile-14). Outcome measures were assessed preoperatively and one day, three days, seven days and one month following surgical removal of mandibular third molars. Descriptive and generalized estimating equation analyses were made. Level of significance was 0.05.
Results: No cryotherapy following surgical removal of mandibular third molars revealed a statistically significant lower visual analogue scale score of pain compared to thirty minutes of continuous cryotherapy after one day (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference in trismus or oral health-related quality of life were revealed at any time point compared with no cryotherapy.
Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of 30 minutes continuous cryotherapy following surgical removal of mandibular third molars seem to be negligible. Thus, further randomized controlled trials assessing a prolonged application period of cryotherapy, alternative devices or use of intermittent cryotherapy are needed before definite conclusions and evidence-based clinical recommendations can be provided.
Objectives: To explore the in vitro cytokine expression of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to cobalt-chromium alloys, manufactured with different techniques, in comparison with commercially pure titanium grade 4 and titanium alloy grade 23.
Material and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 10 healthy blood donors and exposed to machine-ground coin-shaped: (a) cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) specimens (n = 5) manufactured by four techniques, i.e. cast, milled, laser melted and presintered milled; (b) commercially pure titanium grade 4; and (c) titanium alloy grade 23. The cells were cultured for 4, 24 and 72 hours followed by investigations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine release using Bio-Plex Pro™.
Results: In general, the PBMC produced significantly more cytokines when exposed to the cast and presintered milled Co-Cr materials compared to laser melted, milled Co-Cr and titanium materials.
Conclusions: Within the limitation of the present study, it may be suggested that cast and presintered milled cobalt-chromium alloys provoke a stronger inflammatory response compared to milled and laser melted cobalt-chromium alloys and titanium materials.
Objectives: The aim of this retrospective comparative study was to evaluate the effects of implemented social and public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and aetiology of maxillofacial injuries.
Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review of all the patients who had sustained maxillofacial injuries and presented to the emergency department of Strong Memorial Hospital between March 20th and June 24th, 2019 and 2020, were included in our study. The total study sample comprised of 335 patients (n = 140 in 2019 group, n = 195 in 2020 group). The primary outcome variables of the study were the number of cases and aetiology of maxillofacial injuries. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and two sample t-tests.
Results: The number of patients in the 2020 group was higher (n = 195) than the number of patients in the 2019 group (n = 140). Comparatively, there was an increase in the maxillofacial injuries during the stay-at-home period by (n = 55 [39.29%]). Although not statistically significant, the aetiology of injuries differed during the stay-at-home period compared to the normal times.
Conclusions: The number of maxillofacial injuries increased during the period of implemented social and public health measures during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such knowledge can provide valuable information for the establishment of prevention programs and effective health policies and help in the decision-making process pertaining to resource allocation in a dire situation of the pandemic.
Background: Several lesions of diverse origin may be detected in the oral cavity of children, affecting the oral mucosa, jaws, or teeth. In equivocal cases, their clinicopathologic features may show considerable overlap with various entities. We present a case of a “ring-like” hard mass around the cervical area of a primary tooth in a child and discuss the diagnostic challenges.
Methods: A 2.5 year-old girl was presented by her mother for evaluation of a painless left first primary lower incisor lesion, first noticed 5 months ago. Medical history was unremarkable, while previous injury or other incident could not be recalled by the patient’s mother. Clinical examination and a periapical radiograph were performed.
Results: The clinical examination revealed a yellowish, non-removable, hard in consistency, cylindrical mass, completely surrounding the cervical area of the left first primary lower incisor. A periapical radiograph was performed, revealing a cylindrical radiopacity of mild intensity encasing the tooth cervix and a diagnosis of a foreign body inserted around the tooth was made. Regular follow-up appointments were attended for the next 4 years in which mild but progressive gingival recession, revealing a larger part of the ring-like structure was observed. At age of 6, the tooth was extracted and a cylindrical structure was detached from the tooth, confirming its nature as a foreign body.
Conclusions: A foreign body surrounding the cervix of a tooth eventually becoming inseparable may cause a peculiar clinical and radiographic appearance and provoke diagnostic difficulties, especially in the lack of a relevant history.